Soulieo Kirby's Fundraiser:

The Fortune Society: Rebuilding Lives After Prison

THE STORY:

I am excited and proud to be running my third TCS NYC Marathon for The Fortune Flyers on November 6th. Before I came to The Fortune Society as a client in 2002, I would have never believed I was capable of finishing a marathon or leading a successful life.

I became involved with the criminal justice system at the age of 23. While incarcerated, I vowed to become a productive member of society. However, after my release, I was at a homeless shelter with no resources to change.

Thankfully, a Case Manager from Fortune soon offered me a home at The Academy, which is their housing unit in West Harlem. From here, they gave me the support I needed to receive an education, improve my mental health, and launch a successful career path.

Thanks to Fortune, I now have my own apartment in the Bronx and I’m set to graduate from Baruch College this May with a Bachelor’s in Public Affairs. In short, Fortune’s staff changed my life forever because they understood I was worth more than my crime. And they were right.

I will always be grateful for the support Fortune gave me, and I continue to show my gratitude by running with The Flyers every year. Running has become my unique way of giving back to an organization that changed my life forever.

But there are thousands of other people with justice involvement who still need Fortune’s help. This is why I am asking you to help me raise $3,250 to support Fortune’s mission of providing critical reentry services for people with justice involvement. With your contribution, Fortune can help rebuild their lives—just as it did for me.

Rafael Rodriguez

DONATION: $26

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